New Jazz from Italy part 6 : Rara Avis - Mutations / Multicellulars Mutations [dEN Records]

Rara Avis:
Stefano Ferrian - soprano/tenor saxophone
Ken Vandermark - baritone/tenor saxophone, Bb clarinet
Simone Quatrana - piano
Luca Pissavini - double bass
SEC_ - revox tape recorder, instant sound treatment

dEN Records 2013

Blog's followers should already be famiar with the the names of Stefano Ferria, Simone Quatrana and Luca Pissavini (all three are playing in Ferrian's Nutimbre, Luca Pissavini appears as well on the Nido Workshop cd). I believe Ken Vandermark needs no introduction whatsoever to anyone even vaguely interested in improvised music. The same can't be said about band's electronic tinker SEC_ was only introduced to me through this cd (an group's concert in Alchemia last year). 

Nido Workshop - Nido Workshop [dEN Records]

Nido Workshop:

Francesco Chiapperini - bass clarinet, alto saxophone, flute, compositions

Filippo Cozzi - tenor saxophone

Vito Emanuele Galante - trumpet, flutes, compositions

Luca Pissavini - double bass, compositions

Paolo Benzoni - drums, percussions

dEN Records 2012

The idea of workshop band goes straight back to Charles Mingus who would've stop the band in the middle of the song,  make the musicians retry the intro, tempo change or the solo. Jazz music gives you no "definitive" performances, each take can bring new meanings and perspective to the composition - which is why the idea of a "workshop" applies perfectly to any jazz band - meaning the the creative/learning process should be never terminated. Nido Workshop are five italian musicians that describe their meetings as "exchange / clash of ideas" and, the way I undestand it, they refer to an ongoing process.

Claudio Guida & Marcello Testa - One Plus One. Platrom One [dEN]

Claudio Guida - saxophones
Marcello Testa - double bass


dEN Records 2012









I'm very happy that dEN records' owner Stefano Ferrian brought this recording to Krakow on the occasion of his internation improv tour last autumn. Claudio Guida and Marcello Testa created a duo album that takes you by surprise in many delightfull ways.

The music flows easily, natural and melodic. "Saxobit" takes off with a repetitive melody of the gently struck bass strings, adds mystery and space with a psychodelic echoes and slight use of electronics in the second half. "Norwegian Wood" features a delicate sound of soprano that glides just over the notes. The last on the album "Eclipse" is structured the opposite way, from the eerie and airy electronic echoes to a simply and touching melody. The strong and clear tenor sax on "Michel's Present" along with the steady bass walking brings blues feeling. The haunting and sensual like a tango "No Sad Title Found" glides like a dancing pair. Each of the 11 tracks, short and coincise, has its own charm.
The duo's music shares a particular clarity of vision, . I love the majestic and deep bass sound, the melodic lines that are laid thoughtfully and tastefully, the clarity of sound and emotion. There's some brilliant music here dive into.
Very recommended, possibly one of the best debuts of the year.

some tracks from the cd are presented in this radio playlist.

Ferrian's Nutimbre - Risk [dEN]

Ferrian's Nutimbre:
Stefano Ferrian - soprano / tenor saxophone
Luca Pissavini - double bass
Vito Emanuele Galante - trumpet
Simone Quatrana - piano
Fabrizio Carriero - drums

dEN records 2012

Italy has been for often a safe haven for jazz music, if it were not for the labels like Soul Note or Black Saint work of the many jazz innovators would be left undocumented. Ironically enough on this blog were recently reviewed albums recorded by italian groups but released by british Leo Records. It's time for the italian group, presented by an italian label and here where Ferrian's Nutimbre and dEN records label come to play with it's conceptually packaged cd(white paper sleeve with black leaflet that correctly inserted inside displays the band's name on the outer cover). Nevermind the packaging though, what is inside is kind of music that with its first notes lets you know: this is jazz. this is fun.